Playwright-director Jackson (A Hotel on Marvin Gardens, Taking Leave and The Elevation of Thieves) has known and worked with DCTC acting favorites Jamie Horton (The Skin of Our Teeth, Betrayal and Gross Indecency) and Kathleen M. Brady (The Skin of Our Teeth, Spinning Into Butter and The Beauty Queen of Leenane) for 11 years and 26 years, respectively. He wrote Bernice/Butterfly: A Two Part Invention for his two friends; each act is a solo turn (though DCTC company member Mark Rubald also appears in Bernice).

Previews begin Jan. 15 at DCTC's Ricketson Theatre, toward an opening of Jan. 23.

"Long-standing friendships are a vital part of the fabric of a resident company like the Denver Center Theatre Company," according to production notes for the play. "Filled with both humor and pathos, the first 'invention' introduces us to Bernice (played by Brady) waiting on her colorful customers in the O-Kay diner. In the second 'invention' we meet Randall (played by Horton) as he delivers an address on 'The Butterfly Effect' to the American Philosophical Society."

The design team, "recreating the atmosphere of the American Heartland's nearly-deserted small towns," includes set designer Robert Morgan, costume designer Kevin Copenhaver, lighting designer Dawn Chiang and sound designer David R. White.

For information and single tickets, visit the Center Box Office at 14th and Curtis streets, or call (303) 893-4100 or (800) 641-1222. *

Also on Denver Center Theatre Company stage in early 2003: Love's Labor's Lost, directed by Anthony Powell, Jan. 30-March 1 on the Stage Theatre; and August Wilson's King Hedley II, directed by Israel Hicks, through Feb. 15 at The Space Theatre.